Henderson County Middle School League begins March 16

Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 9:33 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 9:33 p.m.

Although the public school system still doesn't offer middle school baseball, that doesn't mean Henderson County players have to sit and watch other schools compete, thanks to the efforts of coach Rob Parille and Hendersonville City Council member Jerry Smith.

The two men began the Henderson County Middle School Baseball League nine years ago, and the league played full schedules for five straight years.

"It stopped for a couple of years, and we were able to bring it back last year," Parille said. "We ran our schedule in conjunction with Berkeley (Babe Ruth) Baseball last year to keep that league going as well."

Smith said the middle school and the Babe Ruth leagues kept interest in the historic Berkeley Field last season and that allowed the city to provide funds to improve the historic ballpark.

"We are adding sod to the infield, so for the first time in decades, there will be grass in the infield," Smith said.

The middle school league consists of the four county schools (Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Rugby and Apple Valley), and along with playing each other, the teams will also face Veritas Christian Academy and homeschool teams. Coaches this year are Shawn Wolfe for Hendersonville, Anthony Lindsey for Rugby, Eddie Morrison for Apple Valley and Parille for Flat Rock.

The league held its first tryouts of the season on Saturday, and the turnout was strong, according to Parille.

"We had enough for two teams from Apple Valley, two from Rugby, one from Hendersonville, and almost two from Flat Rock. We are letting potential players still register until Friday to see if we can get enough to get two teams for Flat Rock," Parille said.

The improvements to Berkeley Field are expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

Opening Day for Henderson County Middle School Baseball will be March 16 at West Henderson High School.

"Most of our games will be played at Berkeley, once the improvements are complete. We have got to use the high school fields, too. All of our county high school coaches have been very supportive," Parille said. "Henderson County Parks and Recreation has helped out as well with the use of fields at Jackson Park. Without their help, we wouldn't have enough fields to practice on."

For more information go to hcmsb.com or call this year's league president, Donnie Noble, at 551-3852.

<p>Although the public school system still doesn't offer middle school baseball, that doesn't mean Henderson County players have to sit and watch other schools compete, thanks to the efforts of coach Rob Parille and Hendersonville City Council member Jerry Smith.</p><p>The two men began the Henderson County Middle School Baseball League nine years ago, and the league played full schedules for five straight years. </p><p>"It stopped for a couple of years, and we were able to bring it back last year," Parille said. "We ran our schedule in conjunction with Berkeley (Babe Ruth) Baseball last year to keep that league going as well."</p><p>Smith said the middle school and the Babe Ruth leagues kept interest in the historic Berkeley Field last season and that allowed the city to provide funds to improve the historic ballpark.</p><p>"We are adding sod to the infield, so for the first time in decades, there will be grass in the infield," Smith said. </p><p>The middle school league consists of the four county schools (Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Rugby and Apple Valley), and along with playing each other, the teams will also face Veritas Christian Academy and homeschool teams. Coaches this year are Shawn Wolfe for Hendersonville, Anthony Lindsey for Rugby, Eddie Morrison for Apple Valley and Parille for Flat Rock.</p><p>The league held its first tryouts of the season on Saturday, and the turnout was strong, according to Parille.</p><p>"We had enough for two teams from Apple Valley, two from Rugby, one from Hendersonville, and almost two from Flat Rock. We are letting potential players still register until Friday to see if we can get enough to get two teams for Flat Rock," Parille said.</p><p>The improvements to Berkeley Field are expected to be completed in the next few weeks. </p><p>Opening Day for Henderson County Middle School Baseball will be March 16 at West Henderson High School.</p><p>"Most of our games will be played at Berkeley, once the improvements are complete. We have got to use the high school fields, too. All of our county high school coaches have been very supportive," Parille said. "Henderson County Parks and Recreation has helped out as well with the use of fields at Jackson Park. Without their help, we wouldn't have enough fields to practice on."</p><p>For more information go to hcmsb.com or call this year's league president, Donnie Noble, at 551-3852.</p>